First, it took about an hour of driving on a narrow, winding road along the river to get to the parking lot. I was traveling alone, and I was constantly nervous about coming across an oncoming car.
From the parking lot, I just kept climbing up the mountain trail...
After climbing almost nonstop for about an hour, I finally arrived at Pakkun Rock.
There's a place to cross the river just before Pakkun Rock,
which may be slippery if you're using regular sneakers, so even though there's a rope, if you can't support yourself with just your arms, you might lose your grip and be cut off, so be very careful when crossing.
After an hour of climbing, 20 minutes of taking photos, and about two hours of descending back to the parking lot, it took about four hours in total, including driving and climbing, to get from the main road to Pakkun and back. I used the toilet a little before the parking lot, after crossing the bridge and turning right.
When I stopped again on my way back, there was no toilet paper left, so it's best to bring your own.
Instagram-worthy!
We started the climb from the campsite. There were some steep slopes, but there were tape marking the trees (thank goodness 🙇) so we didn't get lost!
We took many breaks along the way and arrived in just under an hour!
When I spotted the rock I'd seen so many times in photos...I wanted to shout, "Yay! I'm finally here!"
Maybe because it was November, the wind was strong, and a strong wind was blowing off the waterfall. I finally managed to cling to Pakkun Rock!
I wonder if the wind blows over it in the cold season?
Take lots of photos of your favorite poses and then take your time descending.
On the way back (where the trail leads to Tulip Village), there's an unmanned vegetable stand...it's great to buy some to take home! They have so many cheap vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, and more!
Four of us mountain climbing friends went there with great excitement. We had about 40 minutes of fun jumping, bouncing, and lying down. (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
Frequently Asked Questions
The trail from Shishigawa Campground to Pakkun Rock takes approximately 1 hour each way. The full Mt. Hokodake summit circuit takes 3 to 4 hours. Terrain is uneven with elevation gain — trekking shoes, long trousers, and rain gear are required.
Spring for Akebono azaleas and early summer for Tsukubinoki plants. Autumn offers clear summit views. Summer visits require long sleeves and insect repellent due to heat and insects.
Shishigawa Campground, the starting point for the trek, has parking, restrooms, a small shop, and a vending machine. The campground also functions as an overnight camping facility for those planning a multi-day stay in the area.
The nearby Kamisan Ruins at the foot of Mt. Kamisan date back approximately 3,000 years to the Jomon period and feature a sacred cavern formed by two rocks — one 24 metres tall and the other 15 metres tall. After trekking, Horigawa Hot Spring (Hourikawa Onsen) is the closest place to relax, reachable by car from the trailhead area.
